Muhyiddin dares MACC to probe Anwar, Zahid

Facing corruption charges, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin has challenged the MACC to also investigate the source of funds channelled to his political rivals – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Muhyiddin, who has vowed to fight what he claimed to be political persecution against Bersatu, made the call in his keynote speech to over 1,000 Bersatu delegates gathered for the party’s 5th annual general assembly (AGM) in Kuala Lumpur.

“I would like to challenge the MACC to investigate Anwar and Zahid.

“Both of them are the presidents of PKR and Umno, respectively. Didn’t they also receive political funding from businesspersons?” he asked.

Muhyiddin, who touted his 50 years in politics, stressed that political parties do not operate businesses to generate income to finance party activities and election campaigns.

“Therefore, the main source of political party funds is donations from party members and supporters - including businesspeople, tycoons, and philanthropists who support the party’s cause,” the former prime minister said.

Muhyiddin also pointed out how Umno, prior to GE15, had led the federal government and five states, while Pakatan Harapan controlled four states.

“Didn’t Umno receive any political donations from entrepreneurs? [...] Didn’t PKR and DAP receive any political donations from entrepreneurs too?” he questioned.

He said while Anwar initially accused Bersatu of accepting funds linked to gambling activities, to allegedly tarnish the party’s reputation among its Malay supporters, his subsequent charges were instead linked to tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary.

“A large portion of the fund received by Bersatu was from Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, my good friend who I have known for a long time.

“I do not think his donation to Bersatu came from gambling money. He is not a gambling tycoon,” said Muhyiddin.

The Pagoh MP said while there were many reports lodged by Bersatu members for MACC to probe their rival parties’ source of funds, so far, only Bersatu had been subjected to investigations.

“The only person charged is me, as Bersatu president. Other parties and their presidents are exempted from being probed or charged.

“Is this not a form of selective prosecution?” he questioned.

'Biggest achievement is charging me'

Muhyiddin also claimed Malaysians in general branded the government as a failure with no significant achievements recorded during its first 100 days in power.

“It is not us (Bersatu) that said they failed. But it is the rakyat.

“Maybe their biggest achievement so far is to charge me in court. That’s all. The rest? Yilek! (Nothing!),” he said.

The issue of alleged political prosecution against Bersatu has been a central theme at the party’s AGM, with numerous leaders making the call for solidarity and to rise against what has been described as an “unholy alliance” among parties in the government. - Mkini